From: douge@nti.com (Doug Eigsti)
Subject: (whorl) Void Cross
Date: Mon, 16 Dec 1996 13:20:39 


[Posted from Whorl, the mailing list for Gene Wolfe's Book of the Long Sun]

Whorl Wolfe's;

	What is the Void Cross that Silk wears? Silk refers to it as a
gammadion. Some have said that it is a swastika but this does not quite
fit the descriptions: NIGHTSIDE pages (hardback);  43, 112, 170, 217, 239,
291. It clearly must have an "X" shaped cross or plus sign void in the
center of the four gammas. A swastika does not fit the bill.
	One configuration that does fit follows: Imagine a 5 x 5 square
with a cross, or plus sign, occupying the five center squares. Now arrange
four "gammas" around the edges consisting of four squares in line and then
one square next to the last one but to the right. This is like an
elongated Knight's move. Each gamma on Silk's necklace can be separated
and used as a screwdriver for checking the electrical connections on the
Sacred windows. When connected in this manner the four gammas do form a
void cross in the center. It does not have the mistique of a swastika but
is more appropriate for the cross symbolism of Wolfe's story. 


=Doug Eigsti=



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